Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
A MESSAGE FROM Kanoe at 10:02 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Kokua Haloa!
East Maui Taro Farmers exercise their right to continue farming taro Enclosed is a statement I drafted for Na Moku Aupuni O Ko`olau Hui, stating its position in reaction to the independent actions that Wailuanui taro farmers took to save their dying taro in Wailuanui Valley. On a long-delayed site visit to inspect diversions on Wailuanui Stream last July 11, they witnessed the taking of water from Wailuanui Stream which was the same water that could irrigate their lo`i downstream. When the BLNR field monitor hesitated in taking action to release the water back into the stream, after witnessing the effects on the taro below (with cracked ground so dry from the ongoing drought), and began deferring to the state's "existing relationship with East Maui Iriigation Company, a subsidiary of Alexander and Baldwin, Day and Martin released water by lifting the EMI gates blocking flow in the stream. The resulting restored flow has bee supplying these farmers with significant increases in irrigation water they never had for decades. Since July 11, these farmers have demanded that Garrett Hew of EMI keep them from diverting water into the EMI ditch system. Instead, Hew has sent crews to close the gates each day. Undaunted, the taro farmers have been opening these gates every day after EMI crews leave. The DLNR monitor refuses to take affirmative action in support of the taro farmers, deferring instead to the deputy AG assigned to represent the DLNR, Linda Chow. She, in turn, has not responded to my repeated attempts to meet to discuss the situation and deal with the growing conflict so we can avoid any heavy-handed action by the state in support of the illegal diversions by EMI. The DLNR's problem is that it has very little legal basis for continuing the diversion in the face of its 7-year delay in taking affirmative action to address the IMMEDIATE water needs of these East Maui taro farmers and subsistence gatherers, as well as: (1) the Circuit Court's invalidation of the BLNR's attempt to issue a 30-year lease to A&B/EMI; (2) Na Moku's pending contested case hearing challenging the issuance of annual revocable permits to A&B/EMI; and (3) EMI's and DLNR's reliance on so-called "holdover" permits to continue the diversions while the contested case is pending, when neither statute or rule allows such a permit. Please let the members in your network know what is occurring. I thought they should know, especially if the DLNR starts considering taking any actions against the farmers, at which time we'll seek broader support for the farmers.
A MESSAGE FROM KANU KIPI HALOA at 5:57 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 8, 2008
COME OUT AND HELP YOUR COMMUNITY
WE WILL BE HELPING PREPARE LAND TO BEGIN A MALA 'AI AT KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS CAMPUS KEA'AU.
A MESSAGE FROM KANU KIPI HALOA at 9:24 PM 0 comments
Friday, May 30, 2008
STOPPING STRAWBERRY GUAVA FROM SPREAD
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
May 22, 2008 07:01 PM
It's a popular treat, but the strawberry-guava is actually an invasive species, and now scientists have a new plan to keep it from spreading.
The tree, from South America, was introduced here in 1825. But now scientists say the plant could invade nearly half the state, forming dense thickets that squeeze out native plants.
The U.S. Forest Service said a solution is the Tectococcus Ovatus or Brazilian Scale. The insect which doesn't exist in Hawaii now hatches on the leaves. It doesn't kill the tree but stops it from growing and producing fruit. They want to release it this summer in the Ola`a Forest Reserve on the Big Island.
The service said the insect only affects that specific tree. But critics worry it will kill other plants. And besides a lot of people like those strawberry guavas.
The state is taking comments on the plan to introduce the Tectococcus Ovatus.
Send in your opinions to:
Plant Quarantine Branch, Hawaii Department of of Agriculture
1849 Auiki St.
Honolulu 96819-3100
A MESSAGE FROM KANU KIPI HALOA at 11:33 AM 0 comments
GREAT WORK AT KANOE'S AINA!
A MESSAGE FROM KANU KIPI HALOA at 10:59 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
MAHALO FOR THE CAR WASH
A MESSAGE FROM KANU KIPI HALOA at 12:49 PM 0 comments